Bitter pills and sweeteners – Syed Anwar Mahmood
Bitter pills and sweeteners – Syed Anwar Mahmood
I am stunned. I am shocked. I am dismayed. I am distressed. Why? Because the finance minister of my country expresses complete helplessness in the face of blatant manipulation by the sugar barons when he says:: “The sugar baron lobby, occupying both the treasury and opposition benches, is too powerful owing to which a probe against the swindlers who created artificial sugar shortage appears impossible. The country has enough sugar, but the mill owners, who are holding the stock of the government, are not allowing the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) to lift the stock as per the requirement just because the sugar barons want to bring the price of domestic sugar at par with international level” (The News, September 3).
If the finance minister laments that there is little he can do to hold accountable those who have manipulated a one hundred per cent increase in price of sugar in the span of a few months, what can the lesser mortals do? I, however, do appreciate the candid manner in which the minister has held both the treasury and the opposition responsible for this.
With the price of wheat flour already sky-rocketing, and men and women standing in line for hours to get atta, with prices of petrol, diesel and kerosene increasing almost every month, with power rates jumping as a result and with public transport fares rising as well, the sudden and huge rise in sugar prices has really robbed the poor of whatever little joy was left in their lives.
We read of a boy killed in Thatta trying to get a bag of atta and an old man meeting the same fate in Murree also in pursuit of atta. I know my domestic help who spent a whole day last Sunday in pursuit of a kilo of sugar for her children and came back empty-handed. My driver met the same fate.
What is being endured by the poor causes ripples anywhere. Unfortunately, this has been the norm, hence we hear very few voices of protest. The political elite are too engrossed in other issues. Thus, when the executive is unable to perform a function, someone else will – case in point, the suo moto action by the Lahore High Court. Within hours of the decision of the Lahore High Court (LHC) came the announcement by the provincial government ensuring that sugar is sold at Rs40 per kilo across the province. Why did the government wait for the judicial intervention? If it can ensure the sale of sugar at Rs40 per kilo now, why could it not do so earlier? The chief minister, known to be a hard task master, must put this question to his administration.
My two previous columns on this page generated many comments. The general refrain is lack of accountability and transparency. And that is understandable. A newspaper report claims that the sugar barons made a hefty Rs25 billion by the recent manipulation of sugar prices. There are reports that the ECC’s decision to import sugar was not implemented as part of the same manipulation. In his column ‘capital suggestion’ in this newspaper on August 30, Dr Farrukh Saleem wrote: “On April 13, 2009, the USDA published the Pakistan Sugar Annual 2009. According to the report, Pakistan’s MY 2009/10 sugar production is forecasted at 3.65 million metric tons. Consumption is forecast at 4.35 million metric tons and imports at 730,000 tons. When the whole world knew that Pakistan had a sugar shortage, why did the government fail to import the commodity? And, when the price of sugar in Pakistan skyrocketed a full 100 per cent, who really benefited from it? Importing sugar now at nearly Rs65 per kg when the price at the time of the ECC decision was Rs42 would cause a major financial blow to the government. That too will be at the cost of the poor.
The other issue attracting criticism from a section of the media is that of rental power plants. I, for one, understand and appreciate the need to fill the energy gap to stop further damage to our industry, manufacturing, exports and growth. I also understand that this is not and cannot be a permanent solution. It is only an emergent solution to a crisis and should be and will be replaced by regular power plants in a span of three to five years. However, since doubts have been expressed, it will be advisable for the government to set up a commission representing all major parties in the parliament, including a few professionals to scrutinise the process of award of licences for rental power plants. Its proceedings should be completed in weeks, not months. If the process has been manipulated, as is being alleged by some, the committee should be able to find out. If not, the finding would put to rest all controversies on the subject.
As for the sugar crisis, I believe this provides President Zardari with a great opportunity to rebuild the image of the government. What appears to be a very bitter pill today will turn out to be the best sweetener for him tomorrow. That will inspire confidence in his government, inject new life in his party and increase popularity. And to the world it will send a new message that the government in Pakistan means business.
The writer is a former federal secretary. Email: sanwermahmood@hotmail.com
